ISLAMABAD: The Kashmir Centre on Wednesday marked the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression by highlighting the challenges faced by children in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and urging greater international attention to their protection and welfare.
In a statement issued on the occasion, the organisation said children in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir had endured decades of conflict, insecurity and psychological trauma, leaving lasting effects on generations of young people.
“Children’s graves continue to be dug and filled. The possibility of tomorrow has been tainted by the bloodshed of today,” the statement said.
On this International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression The #Kashmir Centre remembers all the young lives lost and tainted under oppression and psychological torture in Kashmir and beyond.
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c.c @M_A_Thakur @JFKIIA pic.twitter.com/0dR7ZvreBM
— Kashmir Centre (@KashmirCentre) June 4, 2026
Observed annually on June 4, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression was established by the United Nations in 1982 to acknowledge the suffering of children subjected to abuse, initially focusing on victims of the Lebanon War.
The day has since evolved into a global observance highlighting the plight of children affected by armed conflict, violence and exploitation, while reaffirming the international community’s commitment to protecting children’s rights.
The UN says the observance serves as a reminder of the physical, emotional and psychological suffering endured by children caught in conflicts around the world and underscores the need for greater efforts to safeguard their well-being.
The organisation described Jammu and Kashmir as one of the world’s most heavily militarised regions and alleged that children there have long been exposed to violence, fear and uncertainty.
It said that following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status, authorities imposed repeated internet and communications blackouts that affected families and communities across the territory.
According to the statement, many parents have faced difficulties remaining in contact with their children during periods of unrest, while security concerns have disrupted access to education and normal childhood activities.
The Kashmir Centre also cited reports by rights groups alleging arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, night-time raids and other actions affecting minors.
It said such measures had contributed to psychological distress and disrupted the lives of children across the region.
The organisation called on the international community, human rights bodies and global institutions to pay greater attention to the welfare and protection of children living in conflict zones, including Kashmir.
